Putting God's Word into Practice…

Tribulation can be defined as: a cause of great suffering, difficulty, hardship, trial, or affliction. No one likes tribulation! Yet we all deal with it in varying ways throughout the course of life.

Although this chapter mentions the “Great Tribulation” which is a specific seven year period of great torment on earth, I think we can learn something about the outcome and purpose of the tribulations we face.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb…These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (7:9-10,14)

The great tribulation will bring salvation to uncountable multitudes of people! The main purpose of tribulation even now is to show us our need for Jesus! The greater the tribulation, the more valuable the salvation, the greater our worship!

Tribulation only lasts for a time. When it comes to an end, for those who have trusted in Jesus there are precious promises waiting to be fulfilled FOREVER!

Protection/shelter (vs. 15)

In the presence of Jesus (vs. 15)

No hunger (vs. 16)

No thirst (vs. 16)

No sunburns =) (vs. 16)

No wandering (vs. 17)

No more tears, ever! (vs. 17)

If we believe in Jesus, we can rest in His promises. He WILL do ALL He says! No wonder those saved out of the “great tribulation” spend their days serving and worshiping their Savior!

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen! (12)All these things attributed to humans are fleeting–our glory and honor never last, our might is short lived, our wisdom may pass on to a generation only to fizzle out–but they belong to God forever. That is why He alone is worthy of our worship!